Orlando East River QB Tanner Hearn commits to Southern Illinois

Despite the potential that a stellar start to his senior season might bring on his first Football Bowl Subdivision scholarship offers, Tanner Hearn has decided he already knows where he wants to be.

Southern Illinois quarterbacks coach Nick Hill has been on Hearn since early this year and his recruiting approach has resulted in a pledge from Hearn, who committed to Hill and the Football Championship Subdivision Salukis over the phone Wednesday night.

"I visited in the spring and I got along well with the coaches, I loved the campus and facilities and, mostly, I liked everything about the school, so I felt comfortable when I got the offer and felt it was the right decision," said Hearn, who was offered by Hill on Monday night.

The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Hearn, who is ranked No. 25 in the Sentinel's 2015 Central Florida Super60 and is the No. 2-ranked quarterback in Central Florida behind Lake Nona's Tucker Israel, also has FCS offers from Lehigh and Lafayette. Tampa Berkeley Prep quarerback Brad Mayes committed to Lehigh earlier this month, so that took the Mountain Hawks out of the picture.

Hearn is likely to start attracting plenty more attention once his senior season rolls into full swing. He is coming off an impressive spring game against Titusville in which he passed for more than 400 yards and five touchdowns.

He also ended his junior season with two straight impressive games in which he completed 39-of-78 passes for 670 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions. He'll be looking to beef up his completion percentage, which was 44 percent last season (105-of-237), and FBS offers could loom on the horizon.

"If I get another offer, we'll see when that time comes, but right now I am focused on Southern Illinois, obviously, since I am committed there," Hearn said.

Hill played a huge role in landing Hearn for the Salukis, and Hearn is the quarterback coach's first pledge as a QB in his new role at his alma mater.

"He played at Southern Illinois and we have a good connection," Hearn said of Hill. "I know he knows what it's like there and so he'll help me out a lot. He's young, too, so he'll be good to work with.

"I'm the first quarterback he's brought in since he's been a coach there, so he's really excited that I was able to commit. He said I'm just a good fit for the offense and the style they run."

Hearn said getting his commitment finalized allows him to direct his attention to the Falcons' offense.

"I'm relieved. I really wanted to commit before this football season so I can just go out and play my game and focus on my team and have a good season, and not have to worry about other things," Hearn said.

Hearn, who was an Eastbay Youth All-American in 2011 as a eighth-grader, was slow out of the blocks to start his high school career, which he began at Orlando Timber Creek. After some growing pains at East River, Hearn has blossomed in the offense of East River coordinator Doug Gabriel.

"I'd say I've had good progression. From Timber Creek to East River it's just gotten better and better each year," Hearn said. "Now it has finally gotten to the peak of that and it can only get better. I feel really comfortable on the field."

With a solid group of receivers to throw to this season, like Tyler Castillo, A.J. Seward and Shelton Lewis, Hearn appears primed for his breakout year.

"I'm expecting nothing but the best. Our team is going to be really good this year and I think we can compete with the best, so I'm excited," he said.